Pest Control Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 This policy sets out our approach to managing and controlling pests within our housing stock. 

1.2 We will have regard to this policy statement when making decisions, to ensure fair and consistent decision making

2. Who does this affect? 

2.1 This policy applies to customers renting a home owned or managed by the mhs and HoM, including market rent, Foyers, garages, social, sheltered housing and properties we manage on behalf of other providers. It does not include commercial properties. 

2.2 The term ‘we’ and ‘our’ relates to all concerned unless otherwise stated.

3. Legislation and Regulation

3.1 The legislation governing this policy is; 

  • Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 

  • Housing Act 1988 

  • Environmental Protection Act 1990 

  • Landlord and Tenant Act 1985  

  • Defective Premises Act 1972 

  • Homes (Fit for Habitation) Act 2018

  • Awaab's Law (Social Housing Regulation Act 2023)

  • Housing Act 2004, Housing Health and Safety Rating System

  • Public Health Act 1936

  • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (England) Regulations 2005

4. Tenants' Responsibilities

4.1 Customers must maintain their properties and gardens in accordance with the terms of their tenancy agreement.

4.2 Customers must ensure pets are treated frequently, inline with the recommendations from qualified vets, against fleas and ticks.

4.3 Customers are responsible for reporting all pest related problems to mhs homes.  

4.4 For pest listed in section 5.2 below, we will take the necessary action to resolve the problem. 

4.5 Customers must allow mhs homes or its contractors access to their property to carry out pest control treatments and proofing works where      necesssary. Failure to do so could result in abortive costs being passed on to our customers.

4.6 If the infestation was found not to be linked to defect in the structure, we will consider re-charging the customer for the works. 

4.7 If there is any damage to personal possessions or furniture, it is the customer’s responsibility to repair or replace.

5. Our Responsibilities 

5.1 When a customer moves into their new home we will ensure the property and garden are free from pests. 

5.2 We are responsible for treating and/or managing the following: 

  • Rats – both inside and outside the property 

  • Mice – inside the property, communal gardens and communal spaces 

  • Bedbugs 

  • Cockroaches 

  • Squirrels 

  • Pigeons

  • Wasps

  • Pharoah Ants

5.3 For properties we manage on behalf of a superior landlord we will only deal with pests inside the customer’s home. The managing agent is responsible for dealing with pest in the property grounds and communal areas.

5.4 All other pests (including fleas, ants, slugs and snails, moths , spiders) are the responsibility of the tenant to manage. 

5.5 Nesting birds, bats, bees and red squirrels are protected by legislation and are therefore not covered in this policy. It will be the responsibility of the customer to engage with the relevant specialist services such as local bee keepers or the RSPB. We will however, carry out proofing works once they have moved on to prevent them from re-entering.

5.6 Dormice and water voles (often mistaken for rats) are protected species, so if these are identified during our visits we will not be able to carry out any treatment.

5.7 Where any pests listed in 5.2 above are present, we will; 

  • carry out the required works to resolve the problem and, 

  • pest proof the property, where possible and reasonable. 

  • provide our customers with advice and guidance on how to prevent infestations in the future 
     

5.8 We reserve the right to recharge customers where the correct pre-treatment work has not been carried out and/or we incur abortive costs. For leaseholders this will be through the service charges for the block/estate.

5.9 For ongoing issues with infestations, or suggestive of underlying issues, we will undertake a property/block inspection and act on recommendations.

5.10 Where one third of a block/scheme is affected, we will implement a task force with representatives from multiple service areas to provide a joined up approach to resolving the issue.

6. Equality Statement

6.1 This policy applies to customers of all the tenures listed in section 2 of this policy.

6.2 mhs homes wants to make sure that no person receives less favourable treatment from the organisation on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, religion or belief, race, sex or sexual orientation.

6.3 mhs homes recognises it must comply with the statutory duties imposed by the Equality Act 2010, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, having due regard to the need to: 

  • Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other detrimental conduct;  

  • Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and 

  • Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. 
     

6.4 mhs homes will only share information that meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Confidentiality and impartiality will be exercised by mhs homes at all times.

6.5 We welcome suggestions and comments from people who use or provide our services. We believe that this can provide some important lessons to help us ensure that the service is improved for everyone.

6.6 This policy will be reviewed in three years’ time or earlier if required by legislation, new significant guidance or in response to specific incidents.